How to start

To get around you can use the directions below. There's also a Google map at the end of this post (though you'll need a VPN to view it in China) or you can send the word Dashilar to our WeChat (timeoutenglishEN) for step by step directions on your phone.

5.30-6pm Start your romantic evening with a walk around Qianmen

Take in the restored architecture of the old front gate of the walled city and catch a glimpse of some of the best juxtapositions of old and new in the city.

It's a less than 200m walk from here to Capital M on 2 Qianmen Buxingjie.

9-10.30pm Catch a flick at China’s first cinema

Daguanlou has been screening pictures since the turn of the 20th century and has managed to retain its antique feel through a number of renovations.

Films are usually in Mandarin, but its more about reclining on red silk, Ming dynasty-style couches and sipping Tsingtao at this classic film house (35-50RMB per ticket).

Walking out of the cinema door, turn right and walk about 100m down the street to reach historic Dashilar Dajie.

11pm Grab a jianbing

Credit: Untour Food Tours.

After lounging on the sofa at Daguanlou, stroll along the main drag of Dashilar Dajie and grab a late night jianbing.

Credit: Untour Food Tours.

This quintessential Beijing street food, a thin egg pancake filled with meat and lettuce and brushed with spicy sauce, is the only way to end a night in ‘old Peking’ (5-8RMB each).

Use WeChat to go on this walking tour

Subscribe to our WeChat channel and message us with the word Dashilar to get all the address information you need direct to your phone.

CBD & Shuangjing, Beijing's business districts, are made for the young and the restless.

How to start

Our tour of this area starts off at a class at, or near, Chaowai SOHO 朝外SOHO (朝阳门外大街6号). If you don't know the area it's probably quickest to get a cab as drivers will know this huge mall. The nearest subway is Jintaixizhao, on line 10.

To get around you can use the directions below. There's also a Google map at the end of this post (though you'll need a VPN to view it in China) or you can send the word Shuangjing to our WeChat (timeoutenglishEN) for step by step directions on your phone.

7-8pm Get your aggression out

For the fit and feisty, a night out wouldn’t be complete without some vigorous exercise.

Lace up your gloves and punch out your ills at Fight Republic. Friday classes are an hour long and are sure to make you sweat (130RMB per person).

Glee gym, inside of Chaowai SOHO, is also a good bet for getting buff. They specialise in Taichi classes.

Walk 200m across the street to Central Park.

8.30-9.30pm Calm down with a cocktail

Now that you’ve pummelled every aggressive thought from your mind, indulge in a strong drink at Entourage. Find imported beers, cool ginger martinis and premium spirits on offer.

Heck, you’ve earned it; we wont tell your trainer.

Hop on Line 10 at Jintaixizhao down to Shuangjing and walk 0.5km north (but let’s be honest, you’re on your bicycle, you animal).

10-11.30pm Load up on proteins

After that workout, it’s time to load up on the proteins, and if Iki BBQ does one thing well, it’s prime cuts of meat. Try the homemade spicy sausages and cuts of fatty beef (68RMB). The mushrooms wrapped in pork belly (38RMB) are also a must.

Walk about 0.5km across the Third Ring to Shuangjing Bar Street.

Midnight-1am Yuppie it up

An epicentre of yuppie camaraderie, Shuangjing Bar Street (Dongbai Jie, 东柏街) is host to a gaggle of popular Western-style draught bars and cocktail lounges.

Start at The Brick, a long-time local favourite, and work your way up and down the street. Walk out of The Brick and take your pick.

1.30-2am Grab some Chuan'r

Shuangjing Bar Street is a great spot to grab some chuan’r (aka meat on sticks), with stalls grilling up meat skewers in front of SK Market and further east along the street.

Use WeChat to go on this walking tour

Subscribe to our WeChat channel and message us with the word Shuangjing to get all the address information you need direct to your phone.

Escape the bar street bubble by eating and drinking your way through the nearby Xingfucun area instead.

How to start

This walk starts at Great Leap Brewing's #12 Brewpub. The nearest subway is Dongsishitiao: walk out of exit B down Worker's Stadium road, turn left down Xinxhong Jie and then right at the top of the street.

4-5pm Grab a craft beer

Soak up some late afternoon rays on the terrace at Great Leap Brewing #12 Brewpub. The narrow patio fills up fast, so grab a table, down your pints and head out before the throngs of thirsty expats begin to cascade through the open windows.

Walk about 250m west on Xinzhong Jie before turning north on Shizipo Jie towards Dongzhimenwai Dajie; walk about 0.5km across the street to the East Gate Plaza.

5.30-7pm Go throw some bowling balls

Knock back Tsingtaos and bowl a frame or two at East Gate Plaza Bowling Club. Lanes are 30RMB a game during peak hours and beers are 15RMB. Pros will appreciate the quality hardwood lanes, while novices will appreciate the modest prices and early-noughties pop.

Walk about 0.5km back down Shizipo Jie to 18 Xinzhong Jie.

7.30-9pm Head out for Japanese-style Western food

Tuck in at Jiateng Wu (next to The Golden Pineapple Youth Hostel) for some yoshoku, Japanese-style Western food. Chow down on fried pork cutlets, sweet Vermont curries, omelettes stuffed with rice and a wide assortment of grilled meats on sticks.

Beer and sake are free-flow from 5-9pm (two-hour cap) every day for 45RMB. It’s dangerously cheap.

Head east along Xinzhong Jie. Turn left on Taipingzhuang to BBC.

9.30-11.30pm Get classy with a great cocktail

Class things up a bit with a black truffle martini or custom recommendation from the expert team at Botany.

Midnight-1am Stumble around the corner for something to soak up all the booze

Lingerjiu serves up what are quite possibly the best Shaanxi-style noodles on earth. After a massive bowl of their chilli oil noodles (youpomian, 油泼面; 25RMB), you’ll be ready for round two.

Alternatively, add a pork sandwich (roujiamo, 肉夹馍; 8RMB) and call it a night.

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Jiaodaokou, the area directly East of Gulou, is full of trendy restaurants, bars and nightspots so it's no surprise that our foodies walking tour of the area is made for 24-hour party people.

How to start

You start off at a spot on 64 Fangjia Hutong. Find it by walking about 500m South from Andingmen subway station. (When you exit, cross the big road directly in front of you, away from the river, and go down Andingmen Nei da jie. Fangjia hutong will be on your left).

To get around you can use the directions below. There's also a Google map at the end of this post (though you'll need a VPN to view it in China) or you can send the word Jiaodaokou to our WeChat (timeoutenglishEN) for step by step directions on your phone.

6.30-7.30pm Eat pizza at Ramo

Start your night at trendy pizza hangout Ramo on Fangjia Hutong. They serve up gourmet renditions by the slice and the light dough and thoughtful toppings won’t fill you up too quickly (14-20RMB a slice). Lay a strong foundation for the night over a few beers (15-35RMB) or a glass of their house wine (30RMB).

As you walk out of Ramo turn left and walk for about 300m along Fangjia Hutong. When you get to the big road, Andingmennei Dajie, turn left and walk South for about 0.5km. You'll find Zhang Mama on the left hand side of the road.

10-11.30pm Meander around some great bars

Midnight-3.30am Rock out all night at Yugong Yishan

Few live music venues in Beijing have the pedigree or history of Yugong Yishan. With a cavernous space and a reputation for big names and local favourites alike, the bar is lively late into the night – long after the last act has left the stage.

On big nights, most headliners don’t come out until after 11pm. After all that you’re bound to need a pick-me-up.

Walk back west to Jiaodaokou Nan Dajie and wander north.

3.30-5am Eat late night/early morning snacks

Look for the steaming towers of bamboo that cradle the morning’s dumplings and stuffed buns on Jiaodaokou Nan Dajie, heading north towards Andingmen.

If you’ve done a proper job of staying out all night, by the time you exit Yugong Yishan the early morning commute is well underway and breakfast staples of fried dough sticks and baskets of freshly steamed dumplings abound (from around 3am, 8-10RMB a basket).

Pull up a stool and try to remember the rest of your night.

Use WeChat to go on this walking tour

Subscribe to our WeChat channel and message us with the word Jiaodaokou to get all the address information you need direct to your phone.